Academic Freedom Events and Deadlines

/ 19 hours ago January 13, 2025

BY JOHN K. WILSON

Bright yellow post-it note with the words "SAVE THE DATE" is pinned to a cork bulletin board with a red pushpin.The new year brings a wide range of different events related to academic freedom and deadlines for opportunities. Here’s a quick summary of some activities, and you are encouraged to add any additional opportunities (such as AAUP state conference and chapter events) in the comments.

The AAUP’s Journal of Academic Freedom has issued a call for papers on the topic of “Philanthropy and Academic Freedom” (but submissions on any topic related to the journal can be made). Submissions of 2,000–5,000 words are due by March 5, 2025.

The AAUP will host an online event, “Chilling Extramural Speech in Florida: Legislation, Faculty and Student Intimidation, and Campus Restrictions” on February 5, 2025, at 7 p.m. ET.

The USC Conference on “Censorship in the Sciences” will be held this weekend, January 10–12 (available free on Zoom webinar and recorded). I will be speaking about diversity statements on a  “Compelled Speech” panel on January 11 at 5 p.m. ET. I will also be speaking at a Heterodox Academy debate at UC Riverside about institutional neutrality with Kristina Daugurdas (University of Michigan) on January 15, 2025 at 12:30–2 p.m. PT. Zoom registration here.

The University of California National Center for Free Speech and Civic Engagement holds an online seminar, Does Reason Prevail? Lessons in Public Argument for University Leadership, on January 14, 2025, 3 p.m. ET. Its online SpeechMatters conference will be held April 10, 2025. And look for applications for its 2025–26 fellows program to open soon.

Heterodox Academy 2025–26 Fellows Program is deadline January 31, 2025, a one-year residential research fellowship in New York City for recent post-docs and faculty. Heterodox Academy also holds many events and will hold its annual conference, June 23–25, 2025, in New York City.

The University of Chicago Forum for Free Inquiry and Expression holds many events, including a January 31 symposium on “The Chicago Principles at 10 Years.”

The Canadian CAUT and Education International Academic Freedom Conference will be held February 7–8, 2025 in Calgary.

John K. Wilson is the author of eight books, including Patriotic Correctness: Academic Freedom and Its Enemies and the forthcoming book The Attack on Academia.

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